Plan winter projects to make 2014 banner gardening year

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Disclaimer: If you are reading this article and certain aspects of this article apply to you and conversations we have had, please do not take it personally. I have had these same conversations with many, many frustrated landscapers, neighbors and other concerned gardeners.

October is here. Temperatures are cooler, the grass is slowing down and the living is easy. This is the time to reflect and think about winter projects that will make 2014 an excellent gardening year.

The question I have been asked the most this year revolves around dying grass. (The mole is not giving up his perennial title without a fight and has been coming on hard the last few weeks.) The answer has always involved too much shade. Trees generally grew and put on a lot of leaves this year, and as a result, grass suffered due to lack of sunlight.

For the most part, all the grasses around here like full sun. Yes, even St. Augustine (or Charleston grass) prefers full sun; however, it can tolerate shade better than some of the grasses. Most PHD doctors agree that even St. Augustine requires six hours of sunlight to provide a healthy stand of grass.

The statement I hear the most is something like this, “I just replaced this grass in the spring.” This scenario is very common because you replaced the grass because it died due to shade and now the new grass is dying because of shade issues. The trees in this area have grown record amounts this year and the grass has been unable to capture the sunlight with its chlorophyll and produce the needed carbohydrates to establish a healthy stand of turf.

On side yards, trees grown between houses and the houses themselves block a lot of the sunlight. Side yards are often very narrow, so all the foot traffic is concentrated into a small area. Water from the houses is often directed to flow between the houses. A combination of traffic, extra water and shade is deadly to most grass. Mulch, blue stone, oyster shell, or some other footpath might be a good winter project for this area.

Some solutions to these situations could be to grow heat-toleratant ryegrass. Redesign beds that were put in years ago while the trees were small, making more beds and less grass. Remove shrubs and trees that are shading your turf, if zoning allows. Grow grass in these areas and plan to replace it as needed and not feel bad about it. Regularly trim your trees in this area and not feel bad about it.

Brown Patch / Large Patch is attacking the grass as it slows down for the season.

Bill Lamson-Scribner can be reached during the week at Possum’s Landscape and Pest Control Supply. Possum’s has three locations including one at 481 Long Point Rd. in Mount Pleasant (971-9601). Bring your questions to a Possum’s location, or visit us at http://www.possumsupply.com. You can also call in your questions to “The Garden Clinic,” Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m. on 1250 WTMA. The Horticulture Hotline is available 24 / 7 at possumsupply.com.

Comments

Notice about comments:

Moultrie News is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. We do not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not Moultrie News.

If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full terms and conditions.